Women’s Golf Blog: Expectations – Penn State University Athletics

There are things in life we come to expect. Today is the first day of fall, we expect that soon the leaves will turn their vibrant colors and awe us with their beauty. We expect when we strike a match, fire will follow. We grow up with particular privileges and we “expect” that is how everyone lives. We soon learn that is not true, perhaps we were simply blessed. We press the “buttons” on our technical devices every day and think nothing of it, until they fail to turn on and it can becomes a frustrating experience. Expectations can be the beginning of our greatest disappointments. As athletes we are taught to steer clear from expectations, we can only focus on what we can control. We are taught to keep our attention on the process, which can be easier said than done.

Traveling during a pandemic I have learned not to expect things like having my hotel room serviced while we are at the course, and so I make my bed before I leave for the day. We have learned the convenience of breakfast at the hotel is not a reality anymore. There are times getting a cup of coffee can be a challenge. We were at our hotel for four days and I passed the same crumbs in the hallway while the trash piled up in the front lobby. A sign of the times. Staffing is hard to come by. Our arrival day we took the team into the city of Boston to see some sights, with the expectations they would have parking for our oversized van. Parking garages were plentiful but not useful for larger vehicles, street parking was full and open lots were often closed due to no attendants on property. Our expectation of seeing the city was nothing more than peering out the windows at the towering buildings and city dwellers walking amongst the historic statues that adorn “Beantown”. We did get a historical synopsis from one of the players reading from Google on her phone. We returned to the hotel to grab takeout from an Italian restaurant across the street, just in time to watch the Penn State Whiteout game. When you pay good money for your meal there is the expectation it will be fabulous! I have learned from this time of more takeout orders than dining in, some foods are not meant for Styrofoam containers and should only be consumed from a fresh plate. I know a coach that actually travels with a real plate and silverware just for when her team gets takeout!

When I take my…